Caramel Apple Chunk Muffins

Moist and tender muffins filled with juicy apple chunks and swirls of gooey caramel, perfect for breakfast or a sweet snack.

I made these caramel apple chunk muffins on a cozy fall morning, and my kitchen filled with cinnamon and caramel aromas. Every bite brings out sweet nostalgia for apple picking seasons.

Ingredients

• All-purpose flour: 2 cups (250 g)
• Baking powder: 1 tsp
• Baking soda: ½ tsp
• Salt: ½ tsp
• Ground cinnamon: 1 tsp
• Ground nutmeg: ¼ tsp
• Unsalted butter (melted and cooled): ½ cup (115 g)
• Light brown sugar (packed): ¾ cup (150 g)
• Granulated sugar: ¼ cup (50 g)
• Eggs (large, room temperature): 2
• Vanilla extract: 1 tsp
• Whole milk or buttermilk: ½ cup (120 ml)
• Tart apples (peeled, cored, diced): 2 cups (250 g)
• Soft caramel candies (chopped) or caramel sauce: ½ cup (120 g)
• Coarse sugar or turbinado sugar (optional): 2 tbsp
• Chopped pecans or walnuts (optional): ¼ cup (30 g)

Instructions

Prep:

Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or lightly grease.

Mix Dry:

In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.

Mix Wet:

In a separate bowl, whisk melted butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, eggs, and vanilla until smooth. Stir in milk.

Combine:

Add wet ingredients to dry and stir gently just until combined (do not overmix).

Fold In:

Fold in diced apples and chopped caramel candies or swirl in dollops of caramel sauce.

Fill:

Divide batter evenly among muffin cups, filling each about ¾ full.

Topping:

Sprinkle with coarse sugar and nuts if using.

Bake:

Bake for 20 to 22 minutes, until tops are golden and a toothpick inserted comes out clean (avoid caramel pockets).

Cool:

Cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Pin

This recipe became a weekend favorite for my kids, who loved to help swirl the caramel into each muffin before baking.

Nutrition Information

Each muffin contains about 265 calories, 10 g fat, 41 g carbohydrates, and 3 g protein.

Tools Needed

Muffin tin, mixing bowls, whisk, spatula, and wire rack are useful for easy preparation.

Allergen Advice

Contains wheat, eggs, milk, and possibly nuts or soy depending on caramel and topping choices.

Pin

Enjoy these muffins warm with coffee for a delightful morning or share them as an afternoon treat with loved ones.

Recipe FAQ

→ How can I make the caramel pockets softer?

Use caramel sauce instead of chopped caramel candies for smoother pockets throughout the muffins.

→ What type of apples works best?

Tart apples like Granny Smith deliver a pleasant flavor and hold their texture during baking.

→ Can I substitute apples with other fruits?

Pears are a suitable alternative, giving the muffins a different but equally delicious twist.

→ What topping alternatives are there?

Coarse sugar and chopped pecans or walnuts add crunch, but you can omit or substitute as you prefer.

→ How should these muffins be stored?

Keep muffins in an airtight container for up to 3 days to maintain moistness and texture.

→ What drinks pair well with these muffins?

Chai tea and coffee both complement the caramel and apple flavors, enhancing the overall experience.